neetha Napew - Spellsinger

independent, while the Plated Folk possess a unity of purpose under their

ultimate leader. They have the strength of central organization, which is not

magical in nature but deadly dangerous nonetheless."

"That still hasn't kept them from a thousand years of getting the shit kicked

out of their common unity," she replied, unperturbed.

"True enough, but this time... this time I fear a terrible disaster. A disaster

made worse by the centuries of complacency you have just demonstrated, my dear.

A disaster that threatens to break the boundaries of time and space and spread

to all continuui.

"I fear if this threat is not contained, we face not a losing fight, my friends.

We face Armageddon."

XII

It was silent within the Tree for a while. Finally Talea asked, "What word then

has come out of the Greendowns to you, honorable magician?" Clothahump's warning

had quieted even her usually irrepressible bravado.

"From what I have sensed," he began solemnly, "Skrritch the Eighteenth, Supreme

Ruler of Cugluch, Cokmetch, Cot-a-Kruln, and of all the far reaches and lands of

the Greendowns, Commander of all Plated Folk and heir to their allegiance, has

called upon that allegiance. They have been building their armies for years.

That and this new evil magic they have acquired has convinced them that this

time they cannot fail to conquer. That self-confidence, that terrible feeling of

surety, is what came through to my mind more powerfully than anything else."

"And you learned nothing more about this new magic," said Jon-Tom.

"Only one thing, my boy. That Eejakrat, master sorcerer among the Plated Ones,

is behind it. That is something we could have naturally guessed, for he has been

behind most of the exceptional awfulness that rumor occasionally carries to us

from out of the Greendowns.

"Do not underestimate these opponents set before us, Jon-Tom." He gestured at

the indifferent Talea and Mudge. "Your friends talk like cubs, through no fault

of their own." He moved closer to the two tall humans.

"Let me tell you, the Plated Folk are not like us. They would as soon cut up one

of us to see what's inside as we would a tree. No, I modify that. We would have

more concern and respect for the tree."

"You don't have to go into details," Jon-Tom told him. "I believe you. But what

can we do from here?" He flicked casual fingers across the duar. "This magic

that seems to be in my music is new to me, and I can't control it very well. I

don't know what my limits may be. If you can't do anything, I don't see how an

ignorant novice like myself could."

"Tut, my boy, your approach is different from mine, the magic words you employ

are new and unique. You may be of some use when least you expect it. Both you

and your companion," he indicated the attentive Flor, "are impressive specimens.

There will be times when I may be required to impress the reluctant or the

doubtful."

"We can fight, too," she said readily, eyes sparkling with uncharacteristic

bloodthirstiness in that sensual but childlike face.

"Restrain yourself, my dear," the wizard advised her with a fatherly smile.

"There will likely be ample opportunity for slaughter. But first... you are

quite right, Jon-Tom, in saying that there is little we can do here. We must

begin to mobilize the warmlanders, to assuage their doubts and disbelief. They

must prepare for the coming attack. A letter or two will not convince. Therefore

we must carry the alarm in person."

"The 'ell you say," Mudge sputtered. "I'm not trippin' off t' the ends o' the

earth on some 'alf-cocked crusade."

"Nor am I." Talea rose and let her left hand drop casually to the dagger at her

hip. "We've our own personal business to attend to and care for."

"Children," Clothahump half whispered. Then, more audibly, "What business might

that be? The business of being chased and hunted by the police of the Twelve

Morgray Counties? The business of thievery and petty con schemes? I offer you

instead the chance to embark upon a far grander and nobler business. One that is

vital to the future of not one but two worlds. One in which all who participate

will assuredly go down in the memories of all those who sing songs, for twice

ten thousand years of legend!"

"Sorry," said Talea. "Not interested."

"Nor me, guv'nor," Mudge added.

"Also," said Clothahump with a tired sigh, "I will make it worth your while."

"Cor, now that be more like it, Your Imponderableness." Mudge's attitude changed

radically. "Exactly 'ow worth our whiles did you 'ave in mind?"

"Sufficiently," said the wizard. "You have my word on it."

"Now I don't know as that's exactly..." Mudge's sentence floundered like a shark

in a salt lake as he detected something new and dangerous and very unsenile in

the wizard's expression. "Wot I mean to say, sor, is that naturally that's good

enough for us. The word o' a great sorcerer like yourself, I mean." He looked

anxiously at Talea. "Ain't it, luv?"

"I suppose so," she said carefully. "But why us? If you're going to need an

honor guard, or body guard, or whatever, why not seek out some more amenable to

your crazy notions?"

Clothahump replied instantly. "Because you two are already here, have already

been exposed to my crazy notions, are familiar with the histories of these two,"

and he indicated Flor and Jon-Tom, "and because I have no more time to waste

with others, if we are to make haste toward distant Polastrindu."

"Now, guv'nor," said Mudge reluctantly, "I've agreed I 'ave, and I'll stick by

me word, but Polastrindu? You want that we should go... do you know 'ow far,

meaning no disrespect, that be, sor?"

"Quite precisely, my good otter."

"It'd take months!" shouted an exasperated Talea.

"Yes it would... if we were to travel overland. But I am not so foolish or so

young as to consider such a cross-country hike. We must make speed, for while I

know what is going to happen I do not know when; consequently I am ignorant of

how much time we may have left to prepare. In such circumstances it is best to

be stingy with what we may not possess.

"We shall not trudge overland but instead will make our way up the River

Tailaroam."

"Up the river?" said Talea, eyebrows raised.

"There are ways of traveling against the current."

"To a certain point, Your Wonderness." Mudge looked skeptical. "But what 'appens

when we reach the rapids o' Duggakurra? And I've 'eard many a tale o' the

dangers the deep parts o' the river possess."

"All obstacles can be surmounted." Clothahump spoke with confidence if not

assurance. "They matter not. Obstacle or no, we must hurry on."

"I think I'd rather go by land after all," said Talea.

"I am sorry, my dear. Tailaroam's secrets might be better concealed, but it will

be the cleaner and faster route."

"Easy for you to say," she grumbled. "You'd be right at home in the water if we

had any trouble."

"I have not spent more than occasional recreational time in the water for some

years, my dear. While I may be physiologically adapted to an aquatic life, my

preferences are for breathing and living in air. As just one example, scrolls do

not hold up well at all beneath the water.

"Furthermore, we have now an excellent means for making our way to the river."

"The L'borean riding snake." Talea nodded thoughtfully. "Why not take it all the

way to Polastrindu?"

"Because the river will be as steady and much faster. Perhaps our young friend